How did this happen?How did the Cleveland Indians — who had a payroll barely above $49 million in 2011 — wind up signing two of the top free agents on the market to four-year contracts worth a total of at least $104 million?Outfielder Michael Bourn, an All-Star in two of the last three seasons, agreed to a four-year, $48 million contract with the Tribe on Monday night.If the contract options on Bourn and Nick Swisher vest for 2017, the Indians will have shelled out a combined $130 million for five years on a pair of free-agent outfielders.So much for the belief that no worthwhile free agents want to play in Cleveland.There are many reasons the Indians were able to remake their lineup this offseason — one being a lack of big-league-ready prospects forced their hands — but we'll focus on four of the biggest.1. Television money: The Tribe's sale of SportsTime Ohio to Fox Sports in December was worth a reported $230 million. The deal also will net the Indians an estimated $400 million in rights fees over the next 10 years.Granted, it's not Dodgers money, but it's certainly enough for the Dolans to push the Indians' payroll above $80 million for the first time since 2009.2. Thanks, CBA: Baseball's collective bargaining agreement now stipulates that a player who receives a qualifying offer from his former team will cost the team that signs him a first-round draft pick — as long as it is outside the top 10. This was huge for the Indians, whose No. 5 overall selection in 2013 was protected when they signed Swisher and Bourn.The Swisher signing cost the Tribe their second-round selection, and Bourn's contract, once finalized, will only result in the Indians losing a pick between the second and third rounds.The Mets, another team interested in Bourn, have the 11th overall pick in June, and thus were hesitant to spend that, plus at least $48 million, on Bourn.The Indians, even after two marquee free-agent signings, still have their first- and third-round picks this year.3. So long, Pronk:As I wrote 12 days ago, the Indians ridded themselves of their four largest salaries from 2012. Travis Hafner (who made $13 million last season), Grady Sizemore ($5 million), Derek Lowe ($5 million from the Indians, and $10 million from the Braves) and Shin-Soo Choo ($4.9 million) had their contracts run out or, in the case of Choo, were traded. That's $27.9 million off the books — $9.9 million more than the 2013 salaries of Swisher ($11 million) and Bourn ($7 million).4. The Francona effect: Terry Francona's hiring as manager can't be underestimated.With two World Series championships and five seasons with 95 wins or more in eight years with the Red Sox, Francona brings immediate credibility to the Indians' clubhouse.You also have to wonder if his surprise hiring last October was in part because he was told the Indians were going to spend big this offseason. But even Francona might not have imagined this.Maybe the Indians will get really crazy and spend more of their TV money on a starting pitcher.Kyle Lohse, anyone?This and that

Jim Davison, the curator of The Baseball Heritage Museum, said insurance adjusters are still taking inventory of the damage done by a busted pipe at the Colonial Arcade location. Davison hopes everything will be counted by the end of the week, and he can begin boxing up the memorabilia on the walls of the former home to various treasures from Major League Baseball and the Negro Leagues, along with broadcasting artifacts. The museum's future home hasn't been determined.

The Cavaliers will host their 14th annual career fair prior to their game against the Hornets on Feb. 20. Attendees can meet with professionals in such fields as public relations, journalism, broadcasting, advertising, marketing, sales, business development, finance and sports medicine.Admission is $20. Included in the price is an upper-level ticket to the Cavs-Hornets contest. For more information, email John Ruyf at jruyf@cavs.com or click here.You can follow me on Twitter for sports information, analysis and commentary on the Indians' next $12-millon-per-year acquisition.

Use of editorial content without permission is strictly prohibited. All rights Reserved
2015
www.crainscleveland.com